Through The Multiverse [Dr. Strange]

Tacking On The Insults

I'll leave my room open till sunrise for you

I'll keep my eyes patiently focused on you
Where are you now I can hear footsteps I'm dreaming

And if you will, keep me from waking to believe this
Are you afraid of being alone?

'Cause I am, I'm lost without you

"Your tea, Darling." Stephen handed me a steaming hot mug of tea that I requested just a few minutes ago. We both had decided to take the day to stay in and relax. We even got to sleep in which was an added bonus. Finished breakfast about an hour ago and now on to tea in the bedroom by the big opened window. I liked the view from the comfy chair, seeing the city in the later morning hours and midday. It was always changing every second as everyone was getting into the steps of their own schedule.

My body was levitated without my consent. Normal people would have screamed or reacted to it ordinarily but me? No, no, not when this kind of shit happens every day. I can't count the amount of times on my hand that I'm lifted by Cloak or Stephen during one single day. It was an adjustment at first but now I come to expect it. Which isn't bad, saves me energy. "Do you remember the last thing you said to me before you flew away in an alien space ship and I never saw you again for five years?"

"Thank you for specifying the moment because I needed the clarification of which time I floated away in an alien spaceship." I was aware that my question was random and out of the blue but I was curious if his memory of moments between us were as vivid as I recall them. He set his tea mug down and rested his hand on my thigh while the other began a small massage on my neck when I rested my head against his shoulder. "Why do you ask?"

"I just want to know if you remember."

"Well, you weren't with me when I met said aliens. Or when I met Tony for the first time. You were still a student at Kamar-Taj." He felt my nod that he was getting the details correct thus far. "So it would've been the day before when I was last at Kamar-Taj. We were sparring?" I shook my head, he was heading off of the tracks now. "I'm sorry Jod, I don't remember. What was the last thing I said to you?"

"'Great job with training today, you have a ton of potential to take Wong's position someday. Not mine, obviously. Oh and don't leave your light on all night anymore. Electricity isn't cheap."

"That cannot be the last thing I said to you. And why do you remember it so well?"

Laughs escaped from both of us at the absurdity that was nothing but honesty. "Because, I haven't slept with a light on since. Instead I've been lighting candles with a spell that will put them out when I'm out. And, it's impossible to forget how cocky you are." A low chuckle left his throat and vibrated against my head. "But it was almost foreshadowing what neither of us anticipated. I did take Wong's position and thank god for the light thing because it's more expensive being in the sanctum. It was as if your subconscious knew of the oncoming events but wasn't ready to fill you in."

"Well I'm sorry that at times I can be so arrogant. I'm quite impressed with the way you took that awful memory and changed into something productive though. How did you find out about my "blipping?"

I had tried to push this conversation off for as long as I could. Having to share with him how devastating the news was is something I hadn't planned on. He was here now, why rehash the sadness? For him. I would do anything for him. I wasn't a single ounce prepared for this conversation but we needed to have it anyway. "Tony had asked Wong and I to come to the Avengers Compound, ya know before it was blasted to smithereens. Wong was the one that told me you were taken on a flying donut into space and I was impatiently waiting for you to come back. So my dumbs went in hoping for good news even though I watched half of the city turn to dust before my eyes." At first it felt easy but recalling any moment with Tony was setting myself up for a good cry. "When we arrived, Tony was in a hospital bed. He hadn't eaten since he was floating through dead space for about twenty-three days so he was skinny and visibly distraught. I was already on edge just by the looks of him. Especially with you and Cloak nowhere in sight." A small sniffle emerged from my nose as tears tried to bust at the gates but I hadn't even gotten to the sad part yet. I needed to hang on just a bit longer though it seemed impossible.